A BRASS band is taking to the skies - after receiving an invite to compete in New Zealand.
The United Co-op Yorkshire Brass Band, based in Brighouse, will undertake its biggest adventure ever next March.
Its musicians will play in the 125th New Zealand Brass Band Championships in Wellington.
Now the band is launching a £73,000 fundraising drive for the trip.
A 53-strong party will travel the week after the Yorkshire area championships.
Their two-and-a-half week trip includes three nights in Singapore and two weeks in New Zealand.
Seven concerts, rehearsals and four days of competing will fill the band's schedule.
Principal cornet player Tabby Clegg said it was a great honour to be chosen.
She added: "Raising the money is going to be a challenge but the band will be organising events such as a summer ball, balloon race, and five-a-side football competition."
The band was known as the Yorkshire Co-operatives Brass Band before changing its name earlier this year.
It will be the only British band in the New Zealand contest, which is 20 years older than the British national championships.
A CD by the band is being issued in July to help raise the money needed to travel.
An appeal has been launched for supporters to become a friend of the band for a minimum donation of £10.
If you are interested in becoming a friend e-mail Tabby Clegg at tabby.clegg@btopen world.com.
